The word "intoxicating" is spelled with a prefix "in-" to indicate negation or reversal, followed by the root word "toxic", meaning poisonous or harmful. The suffix "-ating" indicates action, making the word a present participle meaning "causing intoxication". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪtɪŋ/ with stress on the second syllable. The "o" in "toxic" is pronounced as "ɒ" and the "a" in "ating" is pronounced as "eɪ".
Intoxicating is an adjective that is used to describe something or someone that has the ability to create a strong fascination or allure, often to the point of being addictive or captivating. This term is commonly associated with substances, such as alcohol or drugs, that can induce a state of altered consciousness and impair physical and mental control, leading to a sense of euphoria or intoxication.
In a broader context, intoxicating can also refer to experiences, emotions, or activities that have a similar effect of intoxication or intense pleasure. This could include the thrill and excitement of engaging in extreme sports, the mesmerizing beauty of a captivating artwork or performance, or the overwhelming attraction and infatuation that one experiences in a passionate relationship.
The word intoxicating implies an irresistible pull or attraction that can overpower one's senses or judgment. It suggests the ability of a substance, experience, or emotion to create a highly stimulating or pleasurable effect, often temporarily taking one away from reality and causing a sense of bliss or elation. However, it is important to note that intoxicating substances should be consumed responsibly and within legal limits, as excessive use can be harmful to one's health and well-being.
Inebriating; possessing qualities of making drunk; elating to enthusiasm or frenzy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "intoxicating" originated from the Latin word "intoxicatus", which is the past participle of "intoxicare", meaning "to poison". In Latin, "in" denotes "in" or "into", while "toxicare" comes from "toxicum", meaning "poison". Over time, the word "intoxicate" emerged in Middle English, around the 15th century, initially used to refer to physical or mental poisoning. By the 17th century, it started to encompass the sense of being affected or enraptured by something, thus giving rise to the term "intoxicating" and its present meaning of causing excitement or a powerful attraction.